Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computer-implemented method, in a content delivery (CD) network, wherein said CD network (CDN) delivers content on behalf of multiple content providers, and wherein a particular content provider of said multiple content providers has a first plurality of content provider domain names associated therewith, and wherein said CDN allocates a first plurality of CDN domain names to said particular content provider, and wherein said first plurality of content provider domain names are mapped to said first plurality of CDN domain names, wherein said CDN comprises a plurality of CDN clusters, and wherein at least some of said CDN clusters are marker clusters, the method comprising: (A) maintaining a binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters, wherein each of said first plurality of CDN domain names is bound to at least one CDN cluster; (B) maintaining, for at least some of said marker clusters, a first mapping having, for at least some of said first plurality of CDN domain names, a corresponding set of cluster/virtual IP (VIP) address pairs, wherein each marker cluster has multiple VIPs, and wherein each of said at least some of said first plurality of CDN domain names is mapped to at most one VIP per marker cluster, and wherein client requests for content from the particular content provider are directed to one or more VIPs in the set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with a CDN domain name of that particular content provider; and then (C) determining a second mapping, based on (i) one or more content requests received at one or more marker clusters, and (ii) the first mapping, said second mapping being a mapping from at least said first plurality of content provider domain names to said first plurality of CDN domain names, wherein the first plurality of content provider domain names are included in the one or more content requests and wherein the second mapping is also determined based on at least correlating the first plurality of content provider domain names included in the one or more content requests received at the one or more marker clusters with the one or more marker clusters receiving such requests and using the first mapping to correlate the first plurality of content provider domain names to the first plurality of CDN domain names; and (D) determining an amount of traffic or load associated with a particular domain name of said particular content provider; and (E) based at least in part on said amount of traffic or load determined in (D) and the second mapping, modifying said binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters.
In content delivery networks (CDNs), efficiently routing client requests to optimal server clusters is critical for performance and scalability. A method addresses this by dynamically managing domain name mappings and load distribution across CDN clusters. The system operates within a CDN serving multiple content providers, where each provider has multiple domain names mapped to CDN domain names. The CDN includes clusters, some designated as marker clusters, each with multiple virtual IP (VIP) addresses. The method maintains bindings between CDN domain names and clusters, and for marker clusters, it tracks mappings of CDN domain names to VIPs. Client requests for content are directed to VIPs based on these mappings. The system analyzes incoming requests at marker clusters to correlate content provider domain names with CDN domain names, creating a mapping between them. It then measures traffic or load for each content provider domain name. Based on this data and the mappings, the system adjusts the bindings of CDN domain names to clusters, optimizing load distribution and performance. This dynamic approach ensures efficient resource allocation and improves request handling in the CDN.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of content provider domain names are mapped in a many-to-one relationship to said plurality of CDN hostnames.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery networks (CDNs) involves mapping multiple content provider domain names to a single CDN hostname in a many-to-one relationship. This approach reduces the number of hostnames required to serve content from different providers, simplifying CDN management and improving efficiency. The method addresses the challenge of handling numerous domain names in a CDN environment, which can lead to increased complexity, higher operational costs, and potential performance bottlenecks. By consolidating multiple provider domains under a single CDN hostname, the system minimizes the need for separate configurations, reduces DNS lookup overhead, and enhances scalability. The mapping process ensures that requests for content from different providers are correctly routed to the appropriate CDN resources while maintaining performance and reliability. This technique is particularly useful in large-scale CDN deployments where managing a high volume of domain names is resource-intensive. The solution improves load balancing, reduces infrastructure costs, and streamlines content delivery operations.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of content provider domain names are mapped using canonical names (CNAMEs) to said plurality of CDN domain names.
This invention relates to content delivery network (CDN) systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently routing user requests to optimal CDN servers. The method involves mapping multiple content provider domain names to multiple CDN domain names using canonical names (CNAMEs). This mapping allows the content provider's domain names to resolve to the appropriate CDN domain names, enabling dynamic routing of user requests to the nearest or most efficient CDN server. The CNAME-based mapping ensures that DNS resolution directs users to the best available CDN server based on factors such as geographic proximity, server load, or network conditions. This approach improves content delivery performance by reducing latency and optimizing resource utilization. The method may also include additional steps such as validating the CNAME records, handling DNS resolution failures, and dynamically updating the mappings to adapt to changing network conditions. The use of CNAMEs simplifies the configuration process for content providers, as they can delegate DNS resolution to the CDN without modifying their own DNS infrastructure. This technique is particularly useful for large-scale content distribution, where efficient routing is critical for maintaining high performance and reliability.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of said first plurality of CDN domain names has a corresponding unique identifier associated therewith, and wherein said set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with each CDN domain name is determined based on the unique identifier associated with that CDN domain name.
A system and method for managing content delivery network (CDN) domain names and associated server clusters involves dynamically assigning domain names to specific server clusters based on unique identifiers. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently routing user requests to optimal server clusters within a CDN infrastructure. Each CDN domain name is linked to a unique identifier, which determines the set of cluster/VIP (Virtual IP) pairs that handle requests for that domain. This allows for flexible and scalable load distribution, ensuring that traffic is directed to the most appropriate servers based on predefined mappings. The system may also include mechanisms for monitoring and adjusting these mappings in real-time to optimize performance and reliability. By associating domain names with unique identifiers and dynamically determining cluster assignments, the method improves load balancing, reduces latency, and enhances the overall efficiency of content delivery. The approach is particularly useful in large-scale CDN environments where dynamic routing and efficient resource allocation are critical.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with each CDN domain name is determined based on a hash function applied to the unique identifier associated with that CDN domain name.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery network (CDN) performance by dynamically associating CDN domain names with clusters and VIP (Virtual IP) pairs. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently routing user requests to the most appropriate CDN resources to minimize latency and improve reliability. The method involves determining a set of cluster/VIP pairs for each CDN domain name using a hash function applied to a unique identifier associated with that domain name. This ensures consistent and predictable routing decisions based on the domain name's unique identifier, enhancing load balancing and failover capabilities. The hash function provides a deterministic way to map domain names to specific clusters and VIPs, allowing for scalable and efficient content delivery. The system may also include mechanisms for monitoring and adjusting these associations in real-time to adapt to changing network conditions or traffic patterns. By leveraging hash-based routing, the method improves the efficiency and reliability of CDN operations, ensuring optimal performance for end-users.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of cluster/VIP pairs is unique for each CDN domain name.
A method for managing cluster/VIP (Virtual IP) pairs in a content delivery network (CDN) ensures that each CDN domain name is assigned a unique set of cluster/VIP pairs. This approach optimizes traffic distribution and load balancing by preventing conflicts or overlaps between different domain names. The method involves dynamically associating specific clusters (groups of servers) with unique VIPs for each domain, allowing for efficient routing and resource allocation. By maintaining distinct cluster/VIP mappings per domain, the system avoids performance degradation and ensures reliable content delivery. The method may also include monitoring traffic patterns and adjusting cluster/VIP assignments based on demand, further enhancing scalability and reliability. This solution addresses the challenge of managing large-scale CDN infrastructures where multiple domains share resources, ensuring that each domain operates independently without interference. The unique pairing of clusters and VIPs per domain improves fault tolerance and simplifies network management.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein each CDN domain name has a unique VIP at each of a plurality of clusters.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery network (CDN) performance involves distributing content across multiple clusters, each with unique virtual IP (VIP) addresses assigned to domain names. The method ensures that each CDN domain name is associated with a distinct VIP at every cluster, preventing conflicts and improving load balancing. This approach enhances scalability by allowing independent management of traffic across clusters while maintaining consistent routing for each domain. The system dynamically assigns VIPs to domain names based on cluster availability and traffic patterns, reducing latency and improving reliability. By isolating domain-specific traffic within clusters, the method minimizes interference between different content providers and optimizes resource utilization. The solution addresses challenges in CDN infrastructure, such as IP address exhaustion and inefficient traffic distribution, by leveraging unique VIP assignments to streamline content delivery and enhance performance. The method supports seamless integration with existing CDN architectures, enabling efficient scaling without requiring significant infrastructure changes.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters is maintained in a rendezvous system of said CDN.
A content delivery network (CDN) system optimizes content distribution by dynamically binding domain names to clusters of servers. The system uses a rendezvous mechanism to manage these bindings, ensuring efficient routing of requests to the appropriate CDN clusters. The rendezvous system maintains a mapping between domain names and clusters, allowing for dynamic updates and load balancing. This approach improves performance by directing user requests to the nearest or least congested cluster, reducing latency and enhancing reliability. The system can handle large-scale distributions by dynamically adjusting bindings based on network conditions, server availability, and traffic patterns. This method ensures that content is delivered efficiently, even as user demand fluctuates or network conditions change. The rendezvous system acts as a centralized or distributed registry that tracks the current state of domain-to-cluster assignments, enabling seamless updates without disrupting service. This dynamic binding mechanism is particularly useful for large-scale CDNs that need to adapt to varying workloads and geographic distributions of users. The system may also incorporate health checks and failover mechanisms to ensure continuous availability. By maintaining these bindings in the rendezvous system, the CDN can efficiently route requests while minimizing administrative overhead and improving overall system resilience.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein, for said determining in (C), the one or more requests comprise one or more requests for content of said particular content provider.
A system and method for managing content requests in a networked environment addresses the challenge of efficiently routing and processing content requests from multiple users to specific content providers. The invention involves a process where a network device receives one or more requests for content from a particular content provider. The device then determines whether to forward these requests to the content provider based on predefined criteria, such as availability, load balancing, or user preferences. If the criteria are met, the requests are forwarded; otherwise, they may be redirected, cached, or handled differently to optimize performance and resource utilization. The method ensures that content requests are processed in a manner that balances network load, reduces latency, and improves overall system efficiency. This approach is particularly useful in distributed systems where multiple users access content from various providers, requiring intelligent request management to maintain optimal performance. The invention may also include additional steps such as monitoring request patterns, analyzing provider capabilities, and dynamically adjusting routing decisions to adapt to changing network conditions. By implementing this method, the system can efficiently handle content requests while ensuring reliable and timely delivery of content to end users.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said modifying in (E) increases the number of CDN clusters associated with a particular CDN domain name.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery network (CDN) performance involves dynamically adjusting the number of CDN clusters associated with a specific CDN domain name. The method includes monitoring network conditions, analyzing performance metrics, and modifying the CDN configuration based on the analysis. The modification step specifically increases the number of CDN clusters linked to a particular domain name to improve load distribution, reduce latency, or enhance redundancy. This adjustment can be triggered by factors such as traffic spikes, geographic demand shifts, or cluster performance degradation. The method may also involve evaluating the impact of the modification and further refining the CDN configuration to maintain optimal performance. The system may include a control module that automates these adjustments, ensuring real-time responsiveness to changing network conditions. The solution addresses inefficiencies in static CDN configurations, which often fail to adapt to dynamic traffic patterns and regional demand fluctuations, leading to suboptimal content delivery performance. By dynamically scaling the number of clusters, the system ensures better resource utilization and improved user experience.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said modifying in (E) decreases the number of CDN clusters associated with a particular CDN domain name.
A method for optimizing content delivery network (CDN) performance involves dynamically adjusting the number of CDN clusters associated with a particular CDN domain name. The method includes monitoring network conditions, analyzing performance metrics, and modifying the CDN configuration based on the analysis. The modification step specifically reduces the number of CDN clusters linked to a specific domain name to improve efficiency, reduce latency, or balance load. The method may also involve selecting clusters based on geographic proximity, network latency, or server load, and dynamically reconfiguring the CDN to maintain optimal performance. By reducing the number of clusters, the system minimizes redundant resources, enhances response times, and ensures cost-effective content delivery. The approach is particularly useful in large-scale CDN environments where managing cluster assignments dynamically is critical for performance and scalability. The method may be part of a broader system for CDN optimization, including real-time monitoring and automated adjustments to cluster assignments.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said CDN clusters comprises multiple marker clusters.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery in a content delivery network (CDN) addresses the challenge of efficiently distributing and managing content across geographically dispersed clusters. The invention involves a CDN architecture where content is stored and delivered through multiple CDN clusters, each capable of handling requests from users in their respective regions. To enhance performance and reliability, at least one of these CDN clusters includes multiple marker clusters. Marker clusters are specialized sub-clusters within a CDN cluster that track and manage content distribution metrics, such as latency, load balancing, and request routing. These marker clusters monitor performance data in real-time, allowing the CDN to dynamically adjust content delivery strategies to minimize latency and maximize efficiency. By incorporating marker clusters, the system improves content availability, reduces delivery times, and ensures high reliability even under heavy traffic loads. The method also includes mechanisms for synchronizing data between marker clusters to maintain consistency and accuracy across the network. This approach enhances the overall scalability and adaptability of the CDN, making it suitable for large-scale content distribution applications.
13. A nontransitory article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium having program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions, operable on a computer system in a content delivery network (CDN), said computer system implementing at least one content delivery (CD) service, wherein said CD network (CDN) delivers content on behalf of multiple content providers, and wherein a particular content provider of said multiple content providers has a first plurality of content provider domain names associated therewith, and wherein said CDN allocates a first plurality of CDN domain names to said particular content provider, and wherein said first plurality of content provider domain names are mapped to said first plurality of CDN domain names, wherein said CDN comprises a plurality of CDN clusters, and wherein at least some of said CDN clusters are marker clusters, wherein execution of the program instructions by one or more processors of said computer system causes the one or more processors to carry out the acts of: (A) maintaining a binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters, wherein each of said first plurality of CDN domain names is bound to at least one CDN cluster; (B) maintaining, for at least some of said marker clusters, a first mapping having, for at least some of said first plurality of CDN domain names, a corresponding set of cluster/virtual IP (VIP) address pairs, wherein each marker cluster has multiple VIPs, and wherein each of said at least some of said first plurality of CDN domain names is mapped to at most one VIP per marker cluster, and wherein client requests for content from the particular content provider are directed to one or more VIPs in the set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with a CDN domain name of that particular content provider; and then (C) determining a second mapping, based on (i) one or more content requests received at one or more marker clusters, and (ii) the first mapping, said second mapping being a mapping from at least said first plurality of content provider domain names to said first plurality of CDN domain names, wherein the first plurality of content provider domain names are included in the one or more content requests and wherein the second mapping is also determined based on at least correlating the first plurality of content provider domain names included in the one or more content requests received at the one or more marker clusters with the one or more marker clusters receiving such requests and using the first mapping to correlate the first plurality of content provider domain names to the first plurality of CDN domain names; and (D) determining an amount of traffic or load associated with a particular domain name of said particular content provider; and (E) based at least in part on said amount of traffic or load determined in (D), modifying said binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters.
This invention relates to a content delivery network (CDN) system that optimizes domain name mapping and load distribution for content providers. The CDN delivers content on behalf of multiple providers, each associated with multiple domain names. The CDN allocates its own domain names to these providers, mapping them to CDN clusters. Some clusters act as marker clusters, each with multiple virtual IP (VIP) addresses. The system maintains mappings between provider domain names, CDN domain names, and VIPs in marker clusters. Client requests for content are directed to these VIPs based on the mappings. The system dynamically determines a mapping from provider domain names to CDN domain names by analyzing content requests received at marker clusters. It correlates provider domain names in these requests with the receiving clusters and uses the existing mappings to link them to CDN domain names. The system also measures traffic or load associated with each provider domain name. Based on this load data, it adjusts the binding of CDN domain names to clusters, ensuring efficient distribution of content delivery tasks across the network. This approach improves scalability and performance by dynamically adapting to traffic patterns and load conditions.
14. The nontransitory article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of content provider domain names are mapped in a many-to-one relationship to said plurality of CDN hostnames.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery network (CDN) performance involves mapping multiple content provider domain names to a single CDN hostname using a many-to-one relationship. This approach reduces the number of unique hostnames required, simplifying DNS resolution and improving caching efficiency. The system includes a CDN hostname mapping module that dynamically assigns content provider domain names to CDN hostnames based on traffic patterns, geographic distribution, or other performance metrics. A request routing module directs incoming requests to the appropriate CDN hostname, while a content delivery module retrieves and serves content from the mapped CDN hostname. The system may also include a monitoring module to track performance and adjust mappings in real-time. This solution addresses inefficiencies in traditional CDN architectures where each domain name requires a separate hostname, leading to increased DNS lookups and reduced caching effectiveness. By consolidating domain names under fewer hostnames, the system enhances scalability, reduces latency, and improves overall content delivery performance. The non-transitory article of manufacture, such as a storage medium, stores executable instructions for implementing this mapping and routing functionality.
15. The nontransitory The article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of content provider domain names are mapped using canonical names (CNAMEs) to said plurality of CDN domain names.
This invention relates to content delivery network (CDN) systems and addresses the challenge of efficiently managing and routing content requests across multiple CDN domain names. The system involves a method for optimizing domain name resolution in a CDN environment by mapping multiple content provider domain names to a plurality of CDN domain names using canonical names (CNAMEs). This approach allows content providers to distribute their content across multiple CDN domain names while maintaining a simplified and scalable domain name resolution process. The CNAME mappings enable dynamic routing of requests to the most appropriate CDN domain names based on factors such as geographic location, network conditions, or load balancing requirements. The system ensures that content requests are efficiently directed to the optimal CDN domain names, improving performance and reliability for end-users. The invention also includes a non-transitory article of manufacture, such as a storage medium, containing instructions for implementing this domain name mapping and resolution process. This method enhances the flexibility and efficiency of content delivery in distributed network environments.
16. The nontransitory article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein each of said first plurality of CDN domain names has a corresponding unique identifier associated therewith, and wherein said set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with each CDN domain name is determined based on the unique identifier associated with that CDN domain name.
This invention relates to content delivery networks (CDNs) and addresses the challenge of efficiently routing requests to optimal server clusters within a CDN infrastructure. The system involves a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, enable a CDN to dynamically assign domain names to specific server clusters and virtual IP (VIP) pairs based on unique identifiers associated with each domain name. Each CDN domain name is linked to a unique identifier, which determines the set of cluster/VIP pairs that will handle requests for that domain. This allows for flexible and scalable routing of traffic across multiple server clusters, improving load balancing and performance. The system ensures that requests for a given domain name are consistently directed to the same cluster/VIP pairs, enhancing reliability and reducing latency. The unique identifier-based mapping enables dynamic adjustments to routing configurations without requiring changes to the domain names themselves, supporting efficient traffic management in large-scale CDN deployments. The solution optimizes resource utilization by distributing requests across available clusters while maintaining consistency in routing decisions.
17. The nontransitory article of manufacture of claim 16 , wherein said set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with each CDN domain name is determined based on a hash function applied to the unique identifier associated with that CDN domain name.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery network (CDN) performance by dynamically associating CDN domain names with specific server clusters or VIPs (Virtual IPs) to balance load and improve efficiency. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently routing user requests to the most appropriate CDN resources, ensuring low latency and high availability. Each CDN domain name is linked to a set of cluster/VIP pairs, which are determined using a hash function applied to a unique identifier associated with the domain name. This approach ensures consistent and predictable routing while allowing for dynamic adjustments based on network conditions or traffic patterns. The system may also monitor performance metrics such as latency, throughput, and error rates to further refine the cluster/VIP assignments. By leveraging hash-based distribution, the system avoids manual configuration and reduces administrative overhead, improving scalability and reliability in large-scale CDN deployments. The solution is particularly useful in environments where multiple CDN domains must be efficiently mapped to backend resources to optimize performance and resource utilization.
18. The nontransitory article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein the set of cluster/VIP pairs is unique for each CDN domain name.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery network (CDN) performance involves dynamically assigning cluster/VIP (Virtual IP) pairs to CDN domain names based on network conditions. The system monitors traffic patterns, latency, and other performance metrics to determine optimal cluster/VIP pairings for each domain. These pairings are dynamically adjusted in real-time to improve load balancing, reduce latency, and enhance overall CDN efficiency. The system includes a configuration module that generates and updates cluster/VIP mappings, a monitoring module that tracks network performance, and a distribution module that applies the mappings to CDN edge servers. The mappings are stored in a database and can be retrieved and applied as needed. The system ensures that each CDN domain name has a unique set of cluster/VIP pairs, preventing conflicts and improving routing accuracy. This approach allows for flexible and scalable content delivery, adapting to changing network conditions and user demand. The solution addresses the problem of inefficient CDN routing, which can lead to increased latency and degraded user experience. By dynamically optimizing cluster/VIP assignments, the system enhances CDN performance and reliability.
19. The nontransitory article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein each CDN domain name has a unique VIP at each of a plurality of clusters.
A system for managing domain names in a content delivery network (CDN) involves assigning unique virtual IP (VIP) addresses to each domain name within multiple clusters. The CDN distributes content across geographically dispersed clusters to improve performance and reliability. Each cluster operates independently, hosting multiple domain names, but each domain name is assigned a distinct VIP within every cluster. This ensures that traffic for different domain names is routed to the correct servers, preventing conflicts and improving load balancing. The system dynamically maps domain names to VIPs, allowing for scalable and flexible content delivery. The unique VIP assignment per domain per cluster enhances security by isolating traffic flows and simplifies management by reducing IP address conflicts. The solution addresses challenges in CDN scalability, such as handling high traffic volumes and ensuring consistent performance across distributed networks. By maintaining separate VIPs for each domain in every cluster, the system optimizes resource allocation and minimizes latency, improving overall user experience.
20. The nontransitory article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein the binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters is maintained in a rendezvous system of said CDN.
A system for managing content delivery network (CDN) domain names and their binding to CDN clusters is disclosed. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently routing user requests to the optimal CDN cluster based on domain names, ensuring high availability, load balancing, and performance. The system includes a nontransitory article of manufacture, such as a storage medium, that stores instructions for implementing the CDN domain name binding process. The binding of a first set of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters is maintained in a rendezvous system within the CDN. The rendezvous system acts as a centralized coordination point, dynamically managing the associations between domain names and clusters to optimize request routing. This ensures that user requests are directed to the most appropriate CDN cluster based on factors such as geographic proximity, load distribution, and network conditions. The system may also include additional mechanisms for monitoring and updating these bindings to adapt to changing network conditions or cluster availability. The overall solution enhances the reliability and efficiency of content delivery by dynamically adjusting domain-to-cluster mappings in real time.
21. The nontransitory article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein, for said determining in (C), the one or more requests comprise one or more requests for content of said particular content provider.
A system and method for managing content delivery involves a nontransitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, perform operations to optimize content distribution. The system monitors network traffic to identify requests for content from a particular content provider. It analyzes these requests to determine whether they meet predefined criteria, such as request frequency, user location, or content type. Based on this analysis, the system dynamically adjusts content delivery strategies, such as caching, load balancing, or routing, to improve performance and reduce latency. The system may also prioritize certain requests or redirect them to alternative servers to enhance efficiency. The solution addresses inefficiencies in traditional content delivery networks (CDNs) by intelligently managing request handling and resource allocation, ensuring faster and more reliable content access for users. The system is particularly useful for high-traffic content providers seeking to optimize their delivery infrastructure.
22. The nontransitory article of manufacture of claim 13 , wherein at least one of said CDN clusters comprises multiple marker clusters.
A system and method for optimizing content delivery in a content delivery network (CDN) involves distributing content across multiple CDN clusters to improve performance and reliability. The system identifies and groups content markers, such as metadata or identifiers, into marker clusters to facilitate efficient content retrieval. Each CDN cluster is configured to store and manage these marker clusters, allowing for distributed processing and load balancing. The system dynamically assigns content to the appropriate CDN clusters based on factors such as geographic location, network conditions, or user demand. This ensures that content is delivered quickly and reliably to end-users. The system also monitors performance metrics to adjust cluster assignments and optimize content delivery in real-time. By using multiple marker clusters within a single CDN cluster, the system enhances scalability and reduces latency, improving overall user experience. The method includes steps for creating, managing, and updating marker clusters to ensure efficient content distribution across the network. The system is particularly useful in large-scale CDNs where managing and delivering diverse content types is critical.
23. A device in a content delivery network (CDN), wherein said CDN delivers content on behalf of at least one content provider, said device implementing a content delivery (CD) service, wherein said CD network (CDN) delivers content on behalf of multiple content providers, and wherein a particular content provider of said multiple content providers has a first plurality of content provider domain names associated therewith, and wherein said CDN allocates a first plurality of CDN domain names to said particular content provider, and wherein said first plurality of content provider domain names are mapped to said first plurality of CDN domain names, wherein said CDN comprises a plurality of CDN clusters, and wherein at least some of said CDN clusters are marker clusters, wherein the device comprises: at least one processor; and memory, operatively connected to the at least one processor storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to: (a) maintain a binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters, wherein each of said first plurality of CDN domain names is bound to at least one CDN cluster; (b) maintain, for at least some of said marker clusters, a first mapping having, for at least some of said first plurality of CDN domain names, a corresponding set of cluster/virtual IP (VIP) address pairs, wherein each marker cluster has multiple VIPs, and wherein each of said at least some of said first plurality of CDN domain names is mapped to at most one VIP per marker cluster, and wherein client requests for content from the particular content provider are directed to one or more VIPs in the set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with a CDN domain name of that particular content provider; and then (c) determine a second mapping, based on (i) one or more content requests received at one or more marker clusters, and (ii) the first mapping, said second mapping being a mapping from at least said first plurality of content provider domain names to said first plurality of CDN domain names, wherein the first plurality of content provider domain names are included in the one or more content requests and wherein the second mapping is also determined based on at least correlating the first plurality of content provider domain names included in the one or more content requests received at the one or more marker clusters with the one or more marker clusters receiving such requests and using the first mapping to correlate the first plurality of content provider domain names to the first plurality of CDN domain names; and (d) determine an amount of traffic or load associated with a particular domain name of said particular content provider; and (e) based at least in part on said amount of traffic or load determined in (d), modify said binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters.
A content delivery network (CDN) system delivers content on behalf of multiple content providers, each of which may have multiple domain names. The CDN allocates its own domain names to these content providers and maps the content provider domain names to the CDN domain names. The CDN includes multiple clusters, some of which are designated as marker clusters. A device within the CDN maintains a binding between the CDN domain names and corresponding clusters, ensuring each CDN domain name is linked to at least one cluster. For marker clusters, the device also maintains a mapping of CDN domain names to sets of cluster/virtual IP (VIP) address pairs, where each CDN domain name is mapped to at most one VIP per marker cluster. Client requests for content are directed to these VIPs based on the CDN domain name associated with the content provider. The device further determines a mapping from content provider domain names to CDN domain names by analyzing content requests received at marker clusters. This mapping is based on correlating the content provider domain names in the requests with the marker clusters that receive them, using the existing cluster/VIP mapping. The device also measures the traffic or load associated with a particular content provider domain name and, based on this load, dynamically adjusts the binding of CDN domain names to clusters. This ensures efficient content delivery and load balancing across the CDN infrastructure.
24. The device of claim 23 , wherein said plurality of content provider domain names are mapped in a many-to-one relationship to said plurality of CDN hostnames.
A system for optimizing content delivery networks (CDNs) addresses the challenge of efficiently routing user requests to the most appropriate CDN servers. The system includes a device that manages domain name resolution for content providers, where multiple content provider domain names are mapped to a smaller set of CDN hostnames. This many-to-one mapping allows a single CDN hostname to serve multiple content provider domains, reducing the number of unique hostnames that must be managed and improving routing efficiency. The device ensures that when a user request is made for a content provider domain, it is resolved to the corresponding CDN hostname, which then directs the request to the optimal CDN server based on factors such as geographic proximity, server load, or network performance. This approach minimizes latency, reduces DNS resolution overhead, and simplifies CDN infrastructure management by consolidating multiple content provider domains under a unified CDN hostname structure. The system enhances scalability and reliability in content delivery by streamlining the resolution process and optimizing server selection.
25. The device of claim 23 , wherein said plurality of content provider domain names are mapped using canonical names (CNAMEs) to said plurality of CDN domain names.
This invention relates to content delivery networks (CDNs) and addresses the challenge of efficiently routing user requests to the appropriate content providers. The system involves a network infrastructure where multiple content provider domain names are mapped to multiple CDN domain names using canonical names (CNAMEs). This mapping allows requests for content from a content provider to be redirected to the nearest or most optimal CDN server, improving load balancing and reducing latency. The CNAME mapping ensures that the content provider's domain name remains visible to end users while leveraging the CDN's distributed network for faster content delivery. The system may also include mechanisms to dynamically update these mappings based on network conditions, content provider preferences, or CDN performance metrics. By using CNAMEs, the solution simplifies the integration of CDN services with existing content provider domains, enabling seamless and scalable content distribution. The invention enhances the reliability and efficiency of content delivery by dynamically routing requests through the most suitable CDN endpoints.
26. The device of claim 23 , wherein each of said first plurality of CDN domain names has a corresponding unique identifier associated therewith, and wherein said set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with each CDN domain name is determined based on the unique identifier associated with that CDN domain name.
A content delivery network (CDN) system optimizes traffic distribution by dynamically assigning domain names to server clusters. The system includes a plurality of CDN domain names, each associated with a unique identifier. Each domain name is mapped to a set of cluster/VIP (Virtual IP) pairs, where the mapping is determined based on the unique identifier of the domain name. This allows for flexible and scalable routing of client requests to the appropriate server clusters. The system may also include a load balancer that distributes traffic across the clusters based on predefined rules or real-time conditions. The unique identifiers enable precise control over domain-to-cluster assignments, improving load balancing, failover handling, and traffic management. The system may further include mechanisms to update or modify the cluster/VIP pairs dynamically, ensuring adaptability to changing network conditions or traffic patterns. This approach enhances CDN performance by optimizing resource utilization and reducing latency for end-users.
27. The device of claim 26 , wherein said set of cluster/VIP pairs associated with each CDN domain name is determined based on a hash function applied to the unique identifier associated with that CDN domain name.
This invention relates to content delivery networks (CDNs) and specifically to a method for distributing network traffic across multiple clusters or virtual IP (VIP) addresses. The problem addressed is efficiently routing requests to the most appropriate cluster or VIP within a CDN to optimize performance, load balancing, and reliability. The invention involves a system where each CDN domain name is associated with a unique identifier. A hash function is applied to this identifier to determine a set of cluster/VIP pairs for that domain. The hash function ensures that the same domain name consistently maps to the same set of clusters or VIPs, providing predictable and stable routing. This approach allows for dynamic scaling and failover by adjusting the cluster/VIP assignments without disrupting ongoing sessions. The system may also include mechanisms to monitor the health and performance of clusters and VIPs, dynamically updating the hash function or cluster assignments as needed. This ensures that traffic is always directed to the most optimal resources. The invention can be implemented in a distributed architecture, where multiple CDN edge servers use the same hash function to maintain consistency across the network. By using a hash-based approach, the system avoids the need for centralized coordination, reducing latency and improving scalability. The method is particularly useful for large-scale CDNs handling high volumes of traffic, where efficient load distribution is critical. The invention can be applied to various CDN services, including web content delivery, streaming media, and application acceleration.
28. The device of claim 23 , wherein the set of cluster/VIP pairs is unique for each CDN domain name.
A content delivery network (CDN) system optimizes traffic distribution by dynamically assigning virtual IP (VIP) addresses to clusters of servers based on domain-specific requirements. The invention addresses the challenge of efficiently managing server clusters across multiple CDN domains, ensuring optimal performance and resource allocation. Each CDN domain name is assigned a unique set of cluster/VIP pairs, allowing for tailored configurations that adapt to varying traffic patterns, geographic distribution, and service-level agreements. The system dynamically maps VIPs to specific server clusters, enabling load balancing and failover mechanisms while maintaining low-latency access for end-users. By isolating cluster/VIP assignments per domain, the solution prevents interference between different services, enhances security, and simplifies management. The invention improves scalability and reliability in CDN operations by ensuring that each domain operates with its dedicated set of optimized cluster/VIP configurations. This approach allows for granular control over traffic routing, reducing bottlenecks and improving overall network efficiency. The system may also integrate with DNS resolution processes to direct requests to the appropriate VIPs based on domain-specific policies.
29. The device of claim 23 , wherein each CDN domain name has a unique VIP at each of a plurality of clusters.
A system for managing content delivery network (CDN) domain names involves assigning a unique virtual IP (VIP) address to each domain name within multiple CDN clusters. This approach enhances load balancing and traffic distribution by ensuring that each domain name is associated with a distinct VIP across the clusters, preventing conflicts and improving routing efficiency. The system may include multiple CDN clusters, each with its own set of VIPs, and a mechanism to dynamically assign or update VIPs for domain names as needed. This method allows for scalable and flexible domain name management, reducing the risk of IP address collisions and optimizing network performance. The system may also support failover and redundancy by distributing domain names across clusters, ensuring high availability and reliability. Additionally, the system can integrate with DNS resolution processes to map domain names to their corresponding VIPs, enabling efficient content delivery to end-users. The unique VIP assignment per domain name per cluster helps in isolating traffic, improving security, and simplifying network management. This approach is particularly useful in large-scale CDN environments where multiple domain names and clusters are involved, ensuring smooth and efficient content distribution.
30. The device of claim 23 , wherein the binding of said first plurality of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters is maintained in a rendezvous system of said CDN.
A content delivery network (CDN) system optimizes content distribution by dynamically binding domain names to CDN clusters. The invention addresses inefficiencies in traditional CDN architectures where static bindings between domain names and clusters can lead to suboptimal performance, increased latency, or uneven load distribution. The system includes a rendezvous mechanism that dynamically manages these bindings to improve routing efficiency, reduce latency, and balance load across the CDN infrastructure. The rendezvous system acts as a central coordinator, maintaining a mapping between a first set of CDN domain names and their corresponding CDN clusters. This dynamic binding allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions, traffic patterns, or cluster availability. The rendezvous system ensures that domain names are consistently routed to the most appropriate clusters, enhancing performance and reliability. The system may also support additional features such as failover mechanisms, load balancing, and geographic routing to further optimize content delivery. By decoupling domain names from fixed cluster assignments, the invention enables more flexible and efficient CDN operations. The rendezvous system dynamically updates bindings based on real-time data, ensuring optimal performance without manual intervention. This approach improves scalability, reduces operational overhead, and enhances the overall user experience by minimizing latency and maximizing resource utilization.
31. The device of claim 23 , wherein for said determining in (c), the one or more content requests comprise one or more requests for content of said particular content provider.
A system for managing content delivery optimizes network performance by dynamically routing content requests based on real-time conditions. The system monitors network traffic, user device capabilities, and content provider availability to determine optimal routing paths. For content requests from a specific content provider, the system analyzes factors such as latency, bandwidth, and server load to select the most efficient delivery method. This ensures faster access to content while reducing network congestion. The system may also prioritize requests based on user preferences or service-level agreements. By dynamically adjusting routing decisions, the system improves overall network efficiency and user experience. The invention applies to content delivery networks (CDNs), edge computing, and cloud-based services where minimizing latency and maximizing throughput are critical. The solution addresses challenges in delivering high-quality content under varying network conditions, particularly for high-demand or geographically distributed content providers.
32. The device of claim 23 , wherein at least one of said CDN clusters comprises multiple marker clusters.
A system for content delivery network (CDN) optimization addresses the challenge of efficiently distributing and managing digital content across geographically dispersed locations. The system includes multiple CDN clusters, each responsible for caching and delivering content to end-users. To enhance performance and reliability, at least one of these CDN clusters is further divided into multiple marker clusters. These marker clusters operate as sub-groups within the CDN cluster, allowing for finer-grained content distribution, load balancing, and redundancy. Each marker cluster may handle specific subsets of content or serve distinct geographic regions, improving response times and reducing latency. The system dynamically assigns content to marker clusters based on demand, network conditions, or other performance metrics, ensuring optimal resource utilization. This hierarchical structure enables scalable and resilient content delivery, particularly in high-traffic scenarios or during network disruptions. The use of marker clusters within CDN clusters allows for more granular control over content distribution, enhancing overall system efficiency and user experience.
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June 2, 2020
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